Born a Crime Chapters 8-10 Flashcards

Trevor's Parental Background

• Trevor's father, Robert, grew up in Switzerland.
• Robert was referred to as "Robert" instead of "dad" due to concerns of arrest in apartheid South Africa.
• Robert is characterized as precise, self-sufficient, and living in his own world.

Family Dynamics

• Robert and Patricia's personalities contrasted sharply, with Robert being described as ice and Patricia as fire.
• Robert questioned why white people traveled to Africa to hate black individuals, given the large black population in South Africa.
• Robert opened a successful restaurant that welcomed both blacks and whites, fostering a positive social environment.
• The restaurant had to close when inspectors enforced separate toilet facilities for different races.

Financial Habits and Cultural Issues

• Robert was known to be extremely frugal with money.
• African cultural beliefs regarding Santa Claus emphasized transparency; children were taught the true origin of gifts.
• Trevor described time with his father as episodic, akin to a web series with limited information each time.

Trevor's Growth and Realizations

• At 13, Trevor's father moved to Cape Town, leading to a new, abusive home environment with an alcoholic stepfather.
• Trevor's mother ensured that the absence of his father did not equate to a lack of love.
• Trevor reconnected with his father at 24 and felt a sense of belonging and pride from this relationship.

Historical Context of Mixed Heritage in South Africa

• The arrival of the Dutch in southern Africa 300 years ago led to the creation of the first mixed-race individuals, born from Dutch men and Khoisan women.
• Mixed-race individuals, referred to as "coloreds," often had diverse ancestry, making it common for their children not to resemble either parent.
• Many colored people identify more with their Afrikaans ancestry, although they often do not speak African languages and primarily communicate in Afrikaans.
• The apartheid era forced colored people into a complex identity struggle, perceived as "almost white" by Afrikaners, who labeled them "amperbaas."

Societal Challenges and Racial Identity

• Under apartheid, colored individuals faced a harsh reality where their blackness was viewed as a setback.
• The arrival of Nelson Mandela shifted perceptions for colored people, making them more aware of their racial identity.
• Trevor's childhood included instances of bullying, leading to a painful experience with peers who rejected him for being different.

Education and Personal Experiences

• Patricia aimed to teach Trevor that true masculinity does not involve superiority over women but is defined by character.
• After leaving Maryvale, Trevor attended H.A. Jack school.
• Trevor moved with his family from Eden Park to Highlands North.
• His first crush, Maylene, ultimately chose Lorenzo, a white boy, over him, which was a formative experience for Trevor.

Economic Struggles

• The family faced financial difficulties, impacting their ability to afford gas; Trevor often had to push the car uphill to get to school.

Test your knowledge of Trevor Noah's memoir 'Born a Crime' with these flashcards covering chapters 8 to 10. Explore key concepts, character insights, and significant themes that shape Trevor's story. Perfect for students and fans looking to dive deeper into the text.